22 Dec 2014

IFA AND MERCHANTS TEAM UP ON SAVE LIVES, THINK SAFETY, FARM SAFELY CAMPAIGN

IFA President Eddie Downey and Pat Murphy, CEO, Acorn Independent Merchants, which represents eleven agri merchants around the country, have joined forces to champion the IFA’s new national farm safety campaign SAVE LIVES, Think Safety, Farm Safely. Acorn is the first agri-business to sign up and agree to print the SAVE LIVES logo on all products produced by Acorn members together with displaying the logo on their transport fleet.

Eddie Downey welcomed Acorn’s support in coming together to raise awareness of the importance of farm safety and encourage farmers to keep safety at the forefront of their minds. “Having the SAVE LIVES, Think Safety, Farm Safely logo on feed and fertiliser bags and delivery trucks, we hope will act as a constant reminder to farmers to adhere to safe working practices and reduce risks. I hope that all co-ops and merchants will support the campaign around the country.”

Pat Murphy said he was he did not hesitate to support the campaign when approached by IFA. “If the SAVE LIVES campaign saves even one life it will be a success. We are delighted to be part of this very important farm safety initiative. I believe it is the responsibility of all in the agri-business sector to promote safety on farms and try to reduce the number of farm deaths”.

The SAVE LIVES, Think Safety, Farm Safely campaign was officially launched in early December with the distribution of 95,000 farm safety calendars to farm families throughout the country. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of working on the farm by keeping safety at the forefront of farmer’s minds, and farm safety will be a key part of all IFA meetings in 2015.

Eddie Downey said, “IFA have written to over 60 co-ops and feed merchants this week inviting them to participate in the SAVE LIVES, Think Safety, Farm Safely campaign in 2015. It is up to all of us to do whatever we can to change attitudes towards safety and make our farms a safer place to work and live. Let’s make a concerted effort in 2015 to reduce accidents and fatalities on our farms”.

2014 has been one of the worst years in recent history for farm accidents, with 27 farm fatalities recorded so far. That is 27 farm families living with the devastating consequences of the death of a loved one. Not forgetting all those farm families that are coming to terms with life after a serious injury.